Executive Yuan Deputy Secretary-General Chien Tai-lang led members of the national land protection task force and environmental experts on a tour around northern Taiwan today to evaluate some of the land conservation issues highlighted in the recent documentary Beyond Beauty—Taiwan from Above.
The purpose of the trip is to conduct on-site visits and record observations that will be used in future evaluation and policy formulations. Participating on the tour were officials from the Council for Economic Planning and Development; Research, Development and Evaluation Commission; Public Construction Commission; Ministry of Justice and Ministry of the Interior.
The task force first visited Xizhi District in New Taipei City to inspect repair engineering at the Fuhjih Hillside Community, whose retaining walls collapsed in 2000 following heavy rains from Typhoon Xangsane. Currently New Taipei City government has hired professional associations to conduct annual safety checks and notified the community to step up monitoring of the structures.
Ensuring the safety of hillside apartment buildings is an important component in managing sensitive land development, and closely dependent on nearby land and water conservation efforts, Chien indicated. He expressed hope that disasters can be averted through regular safety checks and that competent authorities at central and local levels would join forces to uphold the safety of these communities.
Next, the team traveled to Taoyuan County to inspect rock/soil management and sand discharge facilities at Shihmen Reservoir. Chien gave instructions that the reservoir's capacity to clear away silt and sand should be enhanced, and requested the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) to submit appropriate strategies to the Executive Yuan for discussion.
The current strategies for removing sediment accumulation include clearing sections upstream of the reservoir, pumping out silt using hydropower, and stepping up cleaning efforts during May to November when Taiwan is most prone to flooding from plum rains and typhoons. While these strategies have been helpful, the inflow of sand still exceeds outflow, noted Chien. He instructed the MOEA to continue exploring other effective methods.
Additionally, a proposal to build a desilting tunnel nearby to increase flood water drainage and decrease silt levels has been sent to the Executive Yuan for review. Chien requested the MOEA to fast track the implementation of the project once the Executive Yuan has granted its approval. He also asked competent authorities to step up management of catchment areas upstream of the reservoir to decrease the amount of sand flowing in.
The task force then headed for Guanyin Industrial Park in Taoyuan County to inspect wastewater treatment improvement efforts there. Deputy Secretary-General Chien said industrial wastewater should be treated from the perspectives of both cause and symptom. On the one hand, the Environmental Protection Administration should review the regulatory system to ensure all issues are covered and laws properly enforced, while on the other, the Industrial Development Bureau should step up waste management at the source and help offending factories clean up their operations. The bureau should also push manufacturers in the industrial park to improve their wastewater treatment equipment.
Chien asked officials to come up with solutions and proposals based on recommendations made by the experts and representatives on this trip. Wastewater discharge problems that are not properly handled will result in pollution, therefore the government must continue working with private enterprises and environmental groups to improve the living environment, he reiterated.
Finally, the task force visited the Guanyin coastline to examine erosion and pollution damage of algal reefs. After hearing reports from the Forestry Bureau and other organizations, Chien commended the agencies and the Taoyuan County government for their reef-protection work that has yielded encouraging results so far.
During the inspection, Chien asked the experts extensive questions on algal reef conservation and learned that the chief threats to the reefs came from industrial waste pollution, and that the ecology can recover if pollution is contained. He directed the Forestry Bureau to monitor the situation regularly and instructed other agencies to continue their protection of the coastline.
Looking forward, the Taoyuan County government is due to complete its algal reef research report soon, after which it will present a conservation plan by year end. The Forestry Bureau will continue to oversee and coordinate other agencies in the work of restoring algal reefs and protecting marine ecology and resources.